A five-year-old girl from the North East who underwent life-saving heart surgery in America after her family raised more than £250,000 is set to launch this year's Red Sky Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza.
Ivanna Potts, who was born with a severe form of congenital heart disease known as hypoplastic right heart and heterotaxy syndrome, will press the button to start the fireworks display at Ashbrooke Sports Club in Sunderland on Wednesday, November 4.
The event marks a full-circle moment for Ivanna and her family, a year after communities across the North East rallied to support her.
Fundraising appeal and surgery
Last year, Ivanna's family launched a fundraising appeal to raise £250,000 to take her to Boston Children's Hospital in the United States after being told there were no further surgical options available to her in the UK.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters across the region, more than £250,000 was raised, allowing Ivanna to travel to Boston for specialist treatment. In March 2026, she underwent a complex 12-hour heart operation at Boston Children's Hospital. The surgery was a success, with her family describing the outcome as having completely transformed her future.
Speaking to ChronicleLive this summer, her dad Jack said that while the family were 'thrilled', questions were raised as to how further complications in her case were only discovered when she was about to go under the knife in America.
Community support and the fireworks event
Now, seven months later, Ivanna is back home 'thriving', enjoying life with her family and looking forward to a special evening in Sunderland.
Among those supporting the appeal was North East cardiac charity Red Sky Foundation, which pledged 100% of the general admission ticket profits from its November 2025 Fireworks Extravaganza towards Ivanna's fundraising campaign.
Dr Sergio Petrucci MBE (Hon), founder of Red Sky Foundation, said: "Ivanna's story has touched every single one of us at Red Sky Foundation. Last year, we watched a family fighting to give their little girl a chance at life, and we saw the most extraordinary response from people across the North East who came together to make that possible."
"To see Ivanna now, back home with her family and doing so well after everything she has been through, is absolutely wonderful. It's the outcome we were all hoping and praying for."
"When we supported Ivanna's appeal through last year's Fireworks Extravaganza, we could only hope that one day we'd be celebrating news like this. To now welcome her back to press the button and light up the Sunderland sky is going to be an incredibly emotional and special moment for everyone involved."
"Ivanna is a true little heart warrior, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of the honour. It's a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to make a difference."
Event details
The annual Red Sky Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza has become a much-loved fixture in Sunderland's calendar, bringing families and friends together for an evening of entertainment and spectacular fireworks while raising vital funds for the charity's lifesaving work.
Following a sell-out event in 2025, organisers are encouraging families to secure their tickets early. For Red Sky Foundation, this year's display will be a celebration of Ivanna's journey, the strength of her family and the kindness of a community that refused to give up hope.
The Red Sky Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza 2026 will take place on Wednesday, November 4, at Ashbrooke Sports Club, Sunderland. Gates open at 4.30pm for the fireworks display starting from 8pm. General admission is £7.50, VIP is £25, and Under 2s go free.
